Artificial micro-gland

Abstract

A micro-scale artificial gland is disclosed in the form of an independent unit for promoting biological activity. The artificial gland includes cells formed in a membrane enclosing a reservoir. The reservoir is a bio-reactor capable of containing a product of activity of the cells. The reservoir comprises a gas, a liquid, and a gel and preferably also contains nanoparticles, a buffer, a surfactant, and, a gel precursor. The reservoir may also contain cells. Nanoparticles may also surround the artificial gland to form a protective coating. A variety of methods are disclosed for making the artificial gland by directed assembly of cells into the artificial micro-gland by gel, liquid or bubble templating. All involve coating the surface of gel, droplet or bubble with the living cells and the stabilizing the cells on the surface of gels, droplets or bubbles.

1 - 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . An artificially-constructed isolated structured assembly of cells comprising:
 a plurality of living yeast cells assembled as a membrane in a substantially spherical shape, wherein the yeast cells are structured by electrocoalescence, and wherein the assembly is from about 10 to about 500 microns in diameter; and,   an interior reservoir enclosed by the membrane of a plurality of living yeast cells, wherein the interior reservoir comprises a liquid medium.   
     
     
         38 . The structured assembly of cells of  claim 37 , wherein the living yeast cells comprise  Saccharomyces cerevisiae.    
     
     
         39 . The structured assembly of cells of  claim 37 , wherein the diameter is from about 100 microns to about 500 microns. 
     
     
         40 . The structured assembly of cells of  claim 37 , wherein the diameter is from about 100 to about 200 microns. 
     
     
         41 . The structured assembly of cells of  claim 37 , wherein the liquid medium comprises one or more buffers. 
     
     
         42 . The structured assembly of cells of  claim 37 , wherein the liquid medium comprises phosphate buffered saline and/or Tris-buffered saline. 
     
     
         43 . The structured assembly of cells of  claim 37 , wherein the liquid medium further comprises one or more surfactants. 
     
     
         44 . The structured assembly of cells of  claim 43 , wherein the one or more surfactants comprises a PFPE-PEG block-copolymer surfactant. 
     
     
         45 . The structured assembly of cells of  claim 43 , wherein the one or more surfactants comprises an anionic surfactant. 
     
     
         46 . The structured assembly of cells of  claim 37 , wherein the liquid medium further comprises a gel precursor. 
     
     
         47 . The structured assembly of cells of  claim 37 , wherein the liquid medium further comprises one or more nanoparticles. 
     
     
         48 . The structured assembly of cells of  claim 47 , wherein the one or more nanoparticles are selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate nanoparticles and magnesium oxide nanoparticles.